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Blood and Organ Donation

Donating Blood

Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian relies largely on carefully screened, voluntary blood donors to maintain its blood supplies, the safety of which is ensured by extensive testing.

Whenever possible, we encourage autologous blood transfusions (i.e. blood is taken from the patient and later reinfused). If this procedure is not possible because of a patient's medical status, family members whose blood type is compatible with the patient's may donate blood for the patient's use. This is called a directed blood donation.

You will need to review the criteria with your doctor and to determine if and when you may need a transfusion (donated blood must be used within a short time period).

While there is no fee for directed donations, a fee is charged for processing, testing, and handling of autologous blood.

Become an Organ Donor

Organ donation is a very personal issue, one that can make the difference between life and death for other patients. Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital encourages patients to discuss this issue with their families and with their healthcare team.

The New York State Department of Health administers the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, a confidential database.

For more information about organ donation, head over to LiveOnNY (formerly the New York Organ Donor Network) or call 1-800-GIFT-4-NY (800-443-8469).